Small-scale projects

Small-scale projects

Small-scale projects are outstanding projects that are not ready for any structured investment yet, but that would benefit significantly from an initial grant support to move the project forward. In many cases, these businesses will grow to a level which will allow BoP Fund investments at a later stage.

For these small-scale projects, we work with betterplace.org, an online donation platform that provides excellent reporting tools on social projects and thus a high transparency for donors. Via betterplace.org, literally anyone who is interested in a project can get involved, both with financial or in-kind support.

So far, we have helped to support social business projects in Madagascar and Zimbabwe.

Madagascar

The "spiky" south of Madagascar is the island's poorest region. This project provides the seed capital for a social enterprise that aims to create a new source of income for the local community based on the production of vegetable oils. The energy plant Jatropha grows on infertile soil and doesn't replace the cultivation of aliments. Instead it represents an additional income opportunity for the local farmers on otherwise fallow land.

The project provides financing for the initial 25 hectares of land for the pilot project. With the assistance of GEXSI , the local people will acquire further funding for a bigger plantation that will have a significant impact on fighting poverty in the region. The oil will both be sold locally (for the operation of diesel generators providing electricity) and as a diesel substitute to run mini vans in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.

Zimababwe

KAITE supports landless and small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe, where there is currently the lowest life expectancy and the highest inflation in the world. Organic farming and production of essential oils and staple foods are the pillars of KAITE.

Through long-term partnerships, KAITE supports the organic production of essential oils made from fragrant plants, as well as the cultivation of medicinal plants, herbs, and staple foods. Farmers affiliated with KAITE grow these plants which are then processed by KAITE . The organisation assists its farmers through training in organic agriculture and arranging for global fair trading schemes for their products. This is the basis for the future independence of small farmers from development aid.

More information about this project can be found at www.kaite.biz.